Alienation Of Affection Trial Underway In RC

An unusual case is on trial this week in Pennington County. State's attorney Glenn Brenner is being sued for alienation of affection by the ex-husband of his current wife, Kellie.

The case was initially dismissed, but the state Supreme Court ruled that it should be heard. Its outcome hinges on whether or not Brenner willfully acted in a way that contributed to the end of Doug and Kellie Rumpca's marriage.

In court on Wednesday, Doug Rumpca reviewed phone records documenting calls between his former wife, Kellie Rumpca, Glenn Brenner and a third man, Chris Legner.

The records show in the 16 months leading up to Kellie Rumpca's divorce filing, she and Legner exchanged numerous phone calls, including a one when her and Mr. Rumpca were on vacation in Hawaii.

Kellie Rumpca also called Legner when she and Brenner were in Phoenix for a marathon, months before divorce papers were filed.

Brenner's attorneys believe this backs up his claim that Brenner and Kellie Rumpca were just friends at the time.

Rumpca's legal team also called marriage counselor Colleen Waxler to the stand. She described how Kellie wanted a divorce when the Rumpcas started therapy in 2005.

Waxler also mentioned how Kellie said that Doug had hit and pushed her in the past.

However, the therapy ended after four sessions. Records say the couple had "rekindled their feelings for each other."

Before closing their argument, Doug Rumpca's team brought Brenner to the desk to establish his financial standing, should damages be awarded in the case.

Kellie Rumpca, now Brenner, took the stand Wednesday afternoon. She said there were incidents of physical abuse by Doug Rumpca dating back to the mid-1990s.

Kellie claims when the couple moved from Michigan to Rapid City, she knew that the marriage would eventually end in divorce.